In Phoenix, Arizona, newly released body-camera footage shows a police officer assaulting a 23-year-old unarmed woman after she was pulled over for a minor traffic violation in January. The video shows officer Michael McGillis stopping Mariah Valenzuela without explanation, before he suddenly tackles her and slams her to the ground without warning.
Mariah Valenzuela: “Why am I getting pulled over?”
Michael McGillis: “Is this your car?”
Mariah Valenzuela: “No.”
Michael McGillis: “Bravo, John, Sam, 5-4-5-5.”
Mariah Valenzuela: “Why am I getting pulled over?”
Michael McGillis: “Do you have ID on you?”
Mariah Valenzuela: “No. Why am I getting pulled over?”
Michael McGillis: “OK. Put your hands behind your back.”
Mariah Valenzuela: “Excuse me!”
Michael McGillis: “Put your hands behind your back!”
Mariah Valenzuela: “No!”
Michael McGillis: “Put your hands behing your back! Stop!”
Mariah Valenzuela: [screams]
Michael McGillis: “Stop!”
Mariah Valenzuela: [screams]
Michael McGillis: “Stop! Hands behind your back!”
Mariah Valenzuela: [screams]
The assault left Valenzuela with injuries to her head, face, hands and legs. The video surfaced just one week after another Phoenix police officer was caught on camera fatally shooting James Porter Garcia while he was in a parked car in a residential driveway over Fourth of July weekend.